Monday, September 26, 2016

The Closing Ceremonies

There are all kinds of closing ceremonies.  We recently witnessed another closing ceremony to the Summer Olympics in Rio, Brazil.  There are closing ceremonies for galas, special events, conferences, and yes, even debates and elections. A closing ceremony not only marks an end but also the beginning. For the Summer Olympics not only did it mark the end, it highlighted the beginning of the next Summer Olympics in 4 years in Japan.  


For the Sisters of the Most Holy Trinity and the Catholic Community, the closing ceremony marks the end of the Jubilee Year of Mercy.  On October 30, 2016, the Ceremony Closing the Holy Doors for the Jubilee Year of Mercy will occur at the 9:30am Mass in the Grotto.




If you have not had a chance to walk through the Holy Doors, there is one more month to do so at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine during the Jubilee Year of Mercy. After fulfilling the obligations for the Indulgence and walking through the Holy Doors, it will begin a walk of faith for you. For more information about the Holy Doors, go here.  


Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity!




Monday, September 19, 2016

Bernadette's Example to Us


The Story of Our Lady of Lourdes is such a beautiful one, not only because Mary appeared to St. Bernadette, but also because of Bernadette's example to all of us!

Did you know that Mary told Bernadette three secrets?  She was faithful and kept her promise to Our Lady.  Everyone tried to guess what the secrets were, but all Bernadette would say was that the secrets were for her alone.

The message of the apparition were to pray for sinners, do penance, and to enable the people to come to Jesus in procession.  We do this every time we approach Jesus in the Eucharist.  The question remains, though, can we be as devout and faithful as Bernadette?  Can we give our lives to do what Jesus and Mary ask us to do?  Are we "Catholic" only on Sunday?  Bernadette gave everything to God.  After a child made their First Communion, if they were poor, they were expected to find work.  They were not able to pay for further education.  When Bernadette was asked what she wanted to do, her reply was that she wished to be a nun.  People thought she might change her mind, but Bernadette was firm in her decision.


Bernadette - Continued

Getting back to our story of Lourdes and Bernadette in 1858, with the drawing to the close of the apparitions, the Grotto was in a state of flux.

Many visionaries cropped up and were proven false.  Perhaps this was permitted so that they could be compared to Bernadette, and then it would quickly point out the difference between the two.

Bernadette herself finally made her First Holy Communion on June 3, 1858.  It was said that it took her a long time to prepare for this event because she had difficulty learning her catechism.  But just think - this was the person whom God chose to receive his Mother here on earth!

The final vision occurred on July 16th, the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.  Bernadette tried to resume her life as it was before the apparitions.  She sought no attention, but she was in the middle of it because of all the visions to Lourdes seeking cures.  Bernadette's focus was upon Mary's main message - prayer and penance.  Mary's message to Bernadette is as relevant today as it was in 1858.  It is up to us to live this message in our own lives.  It wasn't glamorous then and it isn't now, but then Bernadette wasn't chosen for her glamor.  God Bless us all!


Assumption Novena - Picture Needed

Hello everyone!  The Assumption Novena was indeed a source of much grace!

Did anyone happen to get a photo of the rainbow that arched over the Shrine two nights during the Novena?  If so, would you please email us a copy at spalavalle@yahoo.com.  We would like to add it to our web page and blog.


Thanks!!